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I’d felt it. I’d known Nicole was different, special, a woman to be wooed more than pursued.
I sat by the window, trying to remember everything.
She’d won over my family at Kelly’s engagement party, as I’d known she would. She was that special, and it showed in the way she interacted with them. Kelly had been incredibly nervous Dennis wouldn’t show or that the interaction between him and Adam would blow up. She’d confided in me that Nicole’s comforting words had helped when she’d been ready to break down that afternoon.
I finished the drink and made myself another.
Getting Nicole back was what I had to do. There was no plan B.
Halfway through that second glass, my phone sounded from the coffee table with Dad’s ringtone.
I ignored it. He could wait. Everything could wait.
Only Nicole mattered. I’d texted her a bit ago to ask about the tacos. My phone showed no response, so I sent another message.
ME: Missing you
Again, nothing came back.
* * *
Nicole
The doorbell rang.
Constance jumped up to get it. “Expecting anybody?”
“No. I didn’t even expect you.” I ran to the kitchen in case it was Josh. “And I don’t want to talk to Josh.”
I heard the front door unlatch.
“Can I help you?” Constance said.
“I’m here to see my niece, Nicole.” It was Ernst’s voice.
I went around the corner. “Step-niece,” I corrected him. “You can let him in.”
Constance backed away.
Ernst walked in and held out his arms to me. “Nicole, I was worried and wanted to see how you were doing.”
That set off my bullshit detector. “I’m fine.” I stepped back.
Getting the clue, he put his arms down and turned to Constance with an extended hand. “Ernst Berg.”
She took it. “Constance.”
I answered the query his face conveyed. “Security.”
He nodded. “Good idea. You two must be frightened after what happened.”
“A little,” I answered.
Ernst looked past me in the direction of the kitchen. “I’m worried about Lara. I’d like to talk to her.”
I tried not to laugh at him pretending he actually cared. “She’s not here.”
He stepped toward the mantle. “Any idea where I might find her?”
